Tag Archives: employees

General Safety Issues

ARE YOU STANDING SAFELY? (GUEST POST)

There is much said about the negative side of sedentary jobs – sitting at a desk all day can have a very negative effect on our health from minor issues such as Repetitive Strain Injury right through to increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But what about employees who are constantly on their feet? Millions of staff stand all day in the UK, doing all sorts of jobs in a variety of different industries. Cashiers, nurses, assembly line workers, retail staff and food service assistants are just a few. 

Being on your feet all day can be a real pain. Back pain, shoulder pain, leg pain, muscle tension, joint issues, hip problems, varicose veins. These are just some of the things that are associated with standing for long periods of time. Workers can suffer, especially if they are in a role where they are in a similar stance or doing the same thing over and over, such as a cashier or assembly line worker. Because they are not moving about much they are feeling the force of gravity, their muscles become tense – and this can lead to all sorts of pain. 

So if your staff are always on their feet, think about what you can you do to minimise the pain. 

Let’s start at the bottom. Are your staff wearing the right shoes? If they have correctly-fitting and fit-for-purpose footwear they’ll be comfortable and this will seriously minimise the risks already outlined. There is also another benefit. When staff are comfortable, they are more productive. Think about last time you were wearing shoes that weren’t comfortable. All you can think about is how much your feet are hurting. If that’s how your staff are feeling they are hardly likely to be the best ambassadors of your brand. 

But it’s not just about how happy, smiley and productive your staff are. It’s also about ensuring they are safe. Many workplaces have the potential for slips. In fact, slips and trips are the most common hazard in the workplace, with over a third of all major injuries coming from them. That’s why it’s important to make sure your staff have the correct footwear.  

So what can you do to make sure you and your staff are more comfortable at work? Here are our top tips: 

  • Give them a variety of jobs – changing their duties regularly means they move about in different ways and this gets their blood flowing, preventing muscle tension and pain.
  • Give your staff the opportunity to stand or sit if possible. A mixture of the two is best.
  • Do risk assessments – could staff slip or trip? If so think about the right, anti-slip footwear.
  • Make sure staff have short breaks when they are standing all day, as this again promotes movement.
  • Cushioned or anti-fatigue matting can help make a difference.
  • Make sure your employees’ footwear conforms to UK and European guidelines and is also comfortable and suitable for the job they are doing, because happy feet = happy staff.

Kay Riley has year of experience is the health and safety sector and is now a writer for Shoes For Crews Europe. Kay is looking to reach out to the industry to share her knowledge. I look forward to answering any questions or comment you have on the piece.

 

Ergonomics, Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW PHYSICALLY FIT ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES?

It’s never too late for us to focus on developing and maintaining a fit and healthy workforce.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, regular physical activity can help control body weight, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, improve brain function and moods, and strengthen bones and muscles.  Unless you work at a gym, are an athlete, or serve in the military, chances are some of your workforce is not as physically fit as others. 

So, what are you doing about it?  Depending on the size of the company, there are many things that can help employees become and remain stronger and healthier.  Luckily, in my experience working at a hospital, there were many services offered to the employees; things such as annual health fairs for employees and the public for various screenings, including cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose checks, and other health risk assessments.  There was also a cardiac center, where employees could use the equipment during times that patients were not present.  Our registered dietician conducted healthy food classes for employees, as well as patients that had experienced heart problems. 

If you are considering establishing a fitness program for your employees, first of all, you should conduct a survey to see how many are interested in participating.  Next, select a wellness committee to assume various duties, such as furnishing healthy snacks, and contacting outside health care personnel to present workshops.  You may already have an employee that is certified to teach First Aid Classes and C.P.R.  Search within your company to see which personnel can assume leadership roles by making it fun for all participants. 

Yoga, even 10-minute breaks at the workplace, can help a person escape from the stress of work.  Stress management “coaches” can teach techniques to relax and decompress from the strains both at work and home.  

Other ways to help your employees become more active, especially those whose jobs are sitting at a desk all day, are encouraging them to walk to discuss something with a coworker, rather than using email; take the stairs rather than elevator, and stand while talking on the phone.  Workers can get more exercise also by parking farther away from the building, getting off the bus earlier than the regular stop, and participating on a company sports team.  Get a group of workers together to take a lunch walk. 

Does your company encourage smoking cessation?  If not, this is a good time to start.  How about having contests between departments to bring healthy snacks every once in a while, rather than cookies, cakes, and all the good stuff?  Things such as fruit, nuts, cereals, yogurt, healthy muffins, and vegetables are much better for us all.  See which group comes up with the best ideas.

Workplace safety is a very important aspect of success in every workplace.  Does your workforce know what to do in case of an emergency?  Are there eyewash stations, and first aid supplies within the range of areas where they may be needed?  If not, now’s the time to get started on encouraging cooperation among workers to get healthy and stay that way, and be prepared in case of an emergency.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

MERCHANTS, GET READY FOR BLACK FRIDAY! PART II

Today, we are continuing to get our battle-stations, excuse me, store management and employees ready for the pre-Black Friday and big Black Friday sales.  Please pay heed to these OSHA guidelines:

Pre-Event Setup: 

  • Barricades or rope lines should be set up well in advance of customers arriving at the store.
  • Ensure that barricades are set up so that the line does not start right at the entrance to the store.  This allows for orderly crowd management entry, and makes it possible to divide crowds into small groups for the purpose of controlling the entrance.
  • Barricade lines should have an adequate number of breaks and turns at intervals to reduce the risk of customers pushing from the rear and maybe crushing others.
  • Have designated workers to explain approach and entrance procedures to the arriving public, and direct them to lines or entrances.
  • Outside personnel should have radios, cell phones or other ways to communicate with personnel inside the store, as well as emergency responders.
  • Numbered wristbands or tickets might help earlier arriving customers with first access to sale items.
  • Consider using Internet lottery for “hot” items.
  • Provide public amenities including toilets, washbasins, water and shelter, if appropriate.
  • Distribute pamphlets with store information and updated sales items within the store to customers waiting outside.
  • Remind waiting crowds of the entrance process your business has chosen. 

During the Sales Event: 

  • Be sure all employees and crowd control personnel are aware that the doors are about to open.
  • Have uniformed guards, police, or other personnel at the entrances.
  • Use a P.A. system or bullhorns to manage the entering crowd and communicate information or problems.
  • Position security or crowd managers to the sides of entering (or exiting) public, not in the center of their path.
  • These entry management measures should be used at all entrances.
  • Do not allow additional customers to enter the store once it has reached maximum occupancy, until the level drops.
  • Be sure there is a safe entrance for those with disabilities. 

Emergency Situations: 

  • Do not restrict egress, and do not block or lock exit doors.
  • Know in advance who to call for emergency medical response.
  • Instruct employees, in the event of an emergency to follow instructions from authorized first responders, regardless of company rules. 

We hope retailers will be totally prepared for the onslaught of shoppers who hope to grab some bargains.  Any employees should not be at risk for injury any time they are working.  There are many dangerous occupations in this world, and I am beginning to wonder if this wouldn’t rank right up there with some of the toughest during this holiday season!  Shop friendly, and treat the sales people as kindly as you expect them to treat you.

Source: OSHA

General Safety Issues

CREATING A HEALTHY WORKPLACE, PART I

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As we come to the end of the year, our thoughts turn to making the same resolutions that we usually make each new year, such as losing weight, quitting bad habits, etc.  How about a different and new resolution?  One that both companies and employees alike would make: to create a healthier workplace for everyone?  There’s always room for improvement –  regardless of policies that are already in place.  Let’s talk about this important issue. 

According to the World Health Organization, “Personal and social codes of behavior and ethics are the foundation of every major religious and moral philosophy.  One of the most basic of universally accepted ethical principles is to “do no harm” to others in the workplace.  This means to ensure employees’ health and safety.”  The World Health Organization’s definition of health is “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely absence of disease.”  

Does this definition fit your workplace?  Everyone wins when they have a healthy workplace: the employer, who provides a safe physical work environment to prevent occupational diseases, accidents and injuries, while promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging personal development.  Employers should have leadership that can  allow workers to meet job demands and control the workload to ensure that those workers are able to balance both their work and personal responsibilities.  They should establish principles of work that will prevent stress and ill health. 

Data demonstrates that in the long term, companies that promote and protect workers’ health are rewarded by retaining those employees, and are more successful and competitive than companies that don’t.  Employers should consider these important factors:

  • Cost of prevention versus costs resulting from accidents;
  • Financial consequences of legal violation of health, safety, and occupational rules and laws;
  • Workers health as an important business asset for the company. 

Of course, the other winners are the employees.  If health initiatives are in the workplace, employees will enjoy greater job satisfaction, being able to balance work and family responsibilities, all the while enjoying a sense of pride and well-being.  Companies will see a reduction in work-related illness, injury and disability when they enforce good safety and health policies. 

Employees who have to face unreasonable deadlines become overwhelmed and out of control, which can elevate stress levels and possibly lead to depression.  They think that their load can be handled better if they are able to do part of their work at home, such as using their laptop, or staying late at the office to catch up.  This takes away from their family and free time, and is a hard habit to break, once they start.  Workers should have the ability to negotiate their workload with their supervisor without fear of reprisal or punishment.  They should be given tasks to do that afford the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge effectively with colleagues and managers while in a safe and healthy environment.  They are entitled to have the tools to get their job done efficiently and receive fair pay with benefits.  Those employees who are satisfied with their work environment will be more productive and make a better contribution to the company’s success. 

Please stay tuned: tomorrow we will keep talking about ways that will be beneficial both to employers and employees by creating a healthy workplace.

Source: World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety